About Cork Person of the Year

The Cork Person of the Month and Cork Person of the Year awards scheme was established in 1993 to celebrate Cork’s greatest asset in City and County – our people. Each month a person or persons are selected and at year’s end, the Cork Person of the Year is chosen from these monthly winners. The general public is invited to nominate anyone for these awards by emailing nominations@corkpersonofthemonth.ie. The organisers of the awards do so on a voluntary basis and are proud and honoured to do so. This award scheme not only celebrates Cork people but it also helps to promote Cork as a good place to live, work and play.

As Ireland does not have a state-backed National Honours Scheme, like most countries do, we have added some extra national awards. The Honorary Corkperson award goes to people not from Cork, but to those who may have contributed to Cork and Ireland in some positive way. It has gone to people who Corkonians admire like Broadcaster John Bowman and Rugby Coach Joe Schmidt and to those who promote Cork around the world like entertainers Jeremy Irons and Michael Flatley.

Over the last thirty years we have honoured some 400 Persons of the Month and 33 Persons of the Year. Some years more than one person receives the monthly and yearly award.

Pictured right are Awards Organisers, Manus O’Callaghan and Ann-Marie O’Sullivan.

Cork Person of the Year Awards Scheme

YearGuests of HonourM.C.sPerson of the Year Winners
2025Mayors - Cork City & County and RTÉ Director-General Kevin BakhurstMiriam O'Callaghan and Marty Morrissey, RTÉGarry McCarthy
2024Mayors - Cork City & CountyMiriam O'Callaghan and Anne Cassin, RTÉShane Casey
2023 Minister Michael McGrath TD & Minister Simon Coveney TDMarty Morrissey and Anne Cassin, RTÉ The Frank & Walters Band
2022 Minister Michael McGrath TD & Minister Simon Coveney TDMarty Morrissey and Anne Cassin, RTÉ Tony Linehan and Angela Cantwell
2021Minister Michael McGrath TDCaitríona Perry, RTÉJohn Creedon
2020 Awards Lunch cancelled due to COVID-19 Sanita Pušpure
2019Tánaiste Simon Coveney TDMarty Morrissey and Áine Lawlor, RTÉStephen Teap
2018Joe Schmidt/Fergel KeaneClaire Byrne, RTÉEilise Ireland/Simon Meehan
2017Micheál Martin TDMiriam O’Callaghan, RTÉBob Seward
2016Mayors - Cork City & CountySean O’Rourke, RTÉGary and Paul O’Donovan
2015Minister Simon Coveney TDMiriam O’Callaghan, RTÉJohn Looney
2014Jeremy IronsMary Kennedy, RTÉLouise O’Keeffe
2013Mayors - Cork City & CountySharon Ni Bheolain, RTÉRob Heffernan
2012President Michael D. HigginsMaura Derrane, RTÉ Fr. Pierce Cormac and Bill Deasy
2011Minister Simon Coveney TDDáithi Ó Sé, RTÉ Liam Casey
2010Maureen O'HaraMiriam O’Callaghan, RTÉ Paddy O'Brien
2009President Mary McAleesePat Kenny, RTÉ Conor Buckley
2008 Mayors - Cork City & CountyAnne Doyle, RTÉ Pat Falvey and Dr. Clare O'Leary
2007 President Mary McAleeseMiriam O’Callaghan, RTÉ John Fitzpatrick
2006 Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TDMarian Finucane, RTÉ Dan Donovan
2005 President Mary McAleeseRyan Tubridy, RTÉ Prof. John A Murphy
2004 Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TDMary Kennedy, RTÉ Roy Keane
2003 Minister Micheál Martin TDMichael Ryan, RTÉ Fr. Sean Healy
2002 Minister Charlie McCreevy T.DMiriam O’Callaghan, RTÉ Adi Roche
2001 President Mary McAleeseAnne Doyle, RTÉ Gerry Murphy
2000 Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TDGay Byrne, RTÉ Sonia O'Sullivan
1999 Mayors - Cork City & CountyGerry Ryan, RTÉ Jimmy Barry Murphy
1998 President Mary McAleeseMarian Finucane, RTÉKevin Downing
1997 Minister Micheál Martin T.DJohn Creedon, RTÉ Paddy Comerford
1996 Mayors - Cork City & CountyGareth O'Callaghan, RTÉ Barry Galvin
1995 Jean Kennedy SmithBilly George, Irish Examiner John Bermingham
1994 Mayors - Cork City & CountyBilly George, Irish Examiner Dr. Michael Mortell
1993 Taoiseach Albert ReynoldsBilly George, Irish Examiner Sr. Colette Hickey

Award Judges

 Chief Executive, Cork County Council :: Chief Executive, Cork City Council

 

Cork Persons of the Month

August 2026
Ballincollig Secondary School Principal’s Career Honoured

Pat Kinsella, a leader in education in Cork for the past 50 years, has been announced as Cork…

July 2026
Global Clean Energy Advocate Killian Daly Named Cork Person of the Month for July

Killian Daly, Executive Director of non-profit organisation EnergyTag and the only Irish participant in the World Economic Forum’s…

June 2026
Pop Music Legend Gina Named Cork Person of the Month for June

Gina, the iconic voice of Gina & the Champions, whose sound intersected showband, pop and “middle…

May 2026
Poet and Mental Health Awareness Advocate Daragh Fleming is Cork Person of the Month for May

Acclaimed poet, author, and mental health advocate, Daragh Fleming, has been named Cork Person of the…

April 2026
City and County Community Activists Named Joint Cork Persons of the Month

Lisa Murphy, a dedicated volunteer at the Mayfield Community Development Project (CDP), and Alice de la…

March 2026
Record-Breaking Photographer Mark Condren named Cork Person of the Month for March

Mark Condren has been named Cork Person of the Month for March in recognition of his…